Mayo welcome for progress on catering services for trains

THE tender process to restore on-board catering services on Iarnród Éireann trains is at an advanced stage, Minister of State Alan Dillon has confirmed.

Minister Dillon has consistently raised the issue since the removal of catering services on trains three years ago, with rail passengers, including students and the elderly, who travel for up to three or four hours, unable to access catering services, whether that is to get a bottle of water, a mineral or a cup of tea on Iarnród Éireann’s intercity network across the country.

Said Minister Dillon: “Catering services on the Dublin to Cork route were restored on an interim basis by Irish company Carriage Food Services Ltd (CFSL) while a national tender is undertaken. A full tender process was progressed to reinstate catering services across the intercity network with vending machine trials also being undertaken.

“I am pleased that in response to my latest query, Iarnrod Éireann have confirmed that the tender process is at an advanced stage with costings established. This is now with the National Transport Authority for funding decision and any contract award is subject to NTA funding.”

He added: “Commuters cannot understand how there are still no catering services in place on trains such as Westport to Dublin, Cork to Dublin, and from Kerry, Cork and Limerick. Station-based shops are only available in bigger rail stations.

“I have now contacted the NTA to ensure that funding is in place so these services are restored as soon as possible.”